Thursday, March 28

MEN STAND UP!

Men, stand up!  Let me remind you how God has wired you so today you may take some confidence in your manhood.

1.  MEN ARE COURAGEOUS

I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one. 1 John 2:14

Men are strong and competitive by nature – overcomersAdventurous (faith) and bold.  We put childish things behind us and take strong steps for ourselves and for others in our world.

The courageous put courage in others. Speak out for and defend your friends, your wife, your kids and others – “I’m proud of you”, “I love you”, “You have a great future”.  Step out yourself to demonstrate courage – this inspires others.

2.  MEN ARE DECISION MAKERS

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind … he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.  James 1:6-8

– Don’t be intimidated, be clear minded
– Practice in small decisions to help you when you face the big ones

The people in your world love it when you make decisions.

3.  MEN SOLVE PROBLEMS

Men are great problem solvers – Einstein, Babbage, Luther King, Steve Jobs, … to name but a very few known achievers.

We do it at work.  We can also do it at home.

Don’t try & fix your wife! But you need to jump in and fix situations … problems with finances, kids at school – be involved and apply your skills.  Be the 1st to apologise in a relationship, that’ll fix a few things.

We know men are not natural nurturers …but they do act, decide, shape, solve

The children gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead dough, to make cakes  Jeremiah 7:18

Children gather and create, everything is possible to them (and so it should be). Dads brings wisdom to help shape their kid’s creativity and mums encourage.

4.  MEN LEAVE A LEGACY

David fought to leave a legacy for his son Solomon – men are great fighters.

Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David  1 Kings 3:3

What lives in you could effect others around you or live on in your children.  Men need to face their own stuff in order to be strong for their family and community.

What issues are men facing in our city?

ð     Masculinity – mixed messages, confusion
ð     Insecurity – roles, future
ð     Anger – domestic violence, abuse, car rage
ð     Life transitions – marriage, children, retirement
ð     Health – obesity, stress, sleeping disorders, anxiety & depression
ð     Addictions – pornography, gambling, drugs, alcohol
ð     Financial stresses – over 2000 personal bankruptcies/year in NL
ð     Relationships – isolation
ð     Spirituality – difficulty connecting with God

Men can be lonely  –  Who do you talk to?  –  Where do you go?
You need other guys in your world who you can trust.  You need God in your world too.

5.  MEN PROVIDE VISION

Kids need guidance and boundaries – vision gives both. Wives need our emotional strength.
Most of all what society is needing men to do is take the lead in coming up to the House of God and giving their lives to the cause of Church and winning others.

Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set.  Proverbs 22:28

Men keep alive the important values of of life, God and His Church (the ancient landmarks).

Men Stand up today … I’m praying for you.

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